Stringing a Crossbow Racquet..Be warned!

Kyle7286

Rookie
Hello All,

This thread serves as a warning for those who are thinking about stringing their own crossbow 6 10 whatever.... USE THE TOOL THAT THEY RECOMMEND.

I use a 6 mount Crank Machine (Progression II) and when i took the racquet off the machine after finishing the job... the 12 o'clock mount slightly cracked the frame...


The only reason i tried to string w/o the tool is because i called HEAD and asked them if i could do it w/o the tool and they said i would be fine. LIES!!

You are warned.


Now i'm heading out to buy my customer a new Crossbow 6.
 

jim e

Legend
It is a plastic adapter that goes at the 12 oclock position. Head is very specific on their instructions to use that adapter, as fracture can occur.It is listed to use that right on the Head instruction site.
A while back I called Head to have them send me one, their response was that each racquet has one, so the owner of the racquet should have it. I explained to them that the customer threw it out and I needed one. They then sent one. If it was not needed I don't believe they would have taken the time and expense to have the adapter made and include it with each racquet.
below is picture of it.

IMG_3666.jpg


IMG_3665.jpg


IMG_3667.jpg
 
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Love50

Rookie
From the stringing instructions PDF on the HEAD web site, it looks like,

"In order to protect the aerodynamic cross-section of the frame, the use of the supplied CrossBow Adapter is mandatory!"

Yeah, it sucks that you got bad advice from the HEAD rep.

I vaguely recall seeing the weird around-the-world instructions for 2-point mounting systems when CrossBow frames came out but don't recall this adapter thing. I wonder if they added it after folks started complaining...
 

jim e

Legend
From the stringing instructions PDF on the HEAD web site, it looks like,

"In order to protect the aerodynamic cross-section of the frame, the use of the supplied CrossBow Adapter is mandatory!"

Yeah, it sucks that you got bad advice from the HEAD rep.

I vaguely recall seeing the weird around-the-world instructions for 2-point mounting systems when CrossBow frames came out but don't recall this adapter thing. I wonder if they added it after folks started complaining...

It was not added later, those instructions were there when the racquets 1st came out.Notice they said it was mandatory!It is very specific on the instructions, that is why I don't know why anyone would question that.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
I thought I read somewhere that Head only considers these mandatory on machines that have "2 point" mounting such as the neos, etc..

On machines with 6 point, they did not consider it mandatory, which could explain why the OP was told it was not necessary.

????????????????
 

uk_skippy

Hall of Fame
I'm lucky enough not have strung of these..yet, but arent there 2 different stringing patterns based on whether a 2 of 6 point machine is used?

Regards

Paul
 

Kyle7286

Rookie
I just strung the new one with the Adapter and everything came out Normal.

And to respond to those who are pointing out that it says Mandatory.. i knew that going in and I told the customer that there's a risk so i called head and told them i had a 6 pt machine.. will it be OK to string w/o the adapter (B/c I didnt have one and HEAD told me they ran out). Head REP told me I was fine so i told my customer that if you want i'll go ahead and try it... I'll take a picture of the damage when i get home because it's very slight yet obvious.

So I made this thread to let all the stringers know that don't believe reps.. believe the manuals and do not ever deviate from the instructions.. that was my lesson i took from it.


Quoting
"I'm lucky enough not have strung of these..yet, but arent there 2 different stringing patterns based on whether a 2 of 6 point machine is used?"


Yes there is... for the 2 pt machine, you'll need to use the "Around the World" technique so that the stress of the frame is equally distributed throughout the process. With 6Pt, you just string it normally with the adapter.
 
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jim e

Legend
I thought I read somewhere that Head only considers these mandatory on machines that have "2 point" mounting such as the neos, etc..

On machines with 6 point, they did not consider it mandatory, which could explain why the OP was told it was not necessary.

????????????????

No it is not just for 2 point machines.All machines require the adapter.
The 2 and 4 point machines have that odd ATW pattern to use,(where you need to string a # of mains on one side before starting the other side so the throat piece will not pop out, glad I have a 6 point),
where the 6 point machine users just string as normal, but all machines need the adapter to place at the 12 oclock position.
 
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PBODY99

Legend
Some of the early Aero Kneissl needed this same care. In a pinch, I have used a scrap of a replacement grip as a pad to spread the load at 12 o'clock.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
No it is not just for 2 point machines.All machines require the adapter.
The 2 and 4 point machines have that odd ATW pattern to use,(where you need to string a # of mains on one side before starting the other side so the throat piece will not pop out, glad I have a 6 point),
where the 6 point machine users just string as normal, but all machines need the adapter to place at the 12 oclock position.


Thanks, Jim!. Much appreciated.
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
No it is not just for 2 point machines.All machines require the adapter.
The 2 and 4 point machines have that odd ATW pattern to use,(where you need to string a # of mains on one side before starting the other side so the throat piece will not pop out, glad I have a 6 point),
where the 6 point machine users just string as normal, but all machines need the adapter to place at the 12 oclock position.

I've seen that adapter, but the racket can be strung without one on a floating 6 point mount. I think the reason the OP cracked racket at the 12 o'clock position, was he had it on too tight.

I've heard of these rackets being taco'd on Prince Neos machines. Probably because they were mounted improperly. The correct way to mount Crossbows, is lower on the yoke of the racket than at the bridge, or use a throat adapter.
 

dgdawg

Professional
I've seen that adapter, but the racket can be strung without one on a floating 6 point mount. I think the reason the OP cracked racket at the 12 o'clock position, was he had it on too tight.

I've heard of these rackets being taco'd on Prince Neos machines. Probably because they were mounted improperly. The correct way to mount Crossbows, is lower on the yoke of the racket than at the bridge, or use a throat adapter.

I've strung 3 or 4 diff Crossbow models. I always use the adaptor.
I got mine from the USRAS.
I can totally see how the load spreader at the head can break a frame pulling M's from the T, using a 6pnt rack. The frame isn't "solid" enough.
There's a compound issue with these frames on a 6pnt:
Without the head load spreader being "taught", you run the risk of compressing the hoop, which will cause the throat "Crossbow" to pop out.
I've never owned a 2 pnt, so I can't comment.
 
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